Italian sculptor, furniture designer and maestro d’arte e mestiere (master of art and craft) Giuseppe Rivadossi is considered one of the 20th century’s leading woodworkers. His hand-carved, mid-century modern furniture has been described as poetic, ancient, ethereal and soulful.
Rivadossi was born in 1935 in Monteclana di Nave, where he still lives and works today. He began woodworking at an early age, learning the craft from his father, who founded a carpentry business in 1920. In 1962, Rivadossi took over his father’s workshop and transformed it into an artistic atelier, creating sculptural furniture and objets d’art.
Toward the late 1960s, Rivadossi’s friends and fellow woodworking artists encouraged him to exhibit his wooden sculptures at shows throughout Italy. In 1968, he participated in his first sculpture exhibition, which led to others throughout the 1970s, such as the Triennale di Milano in 1974 and the Biennale di Mentone in 1976. That same year, Rivadossi and several collaborators established Officina Rivadossi, which specialized in wooden objects, sculptures and modern furniture. Pieces included walnut dining room tables, oak sideboards and architectonic dining chairs and armchairs suitable for the home or office.
From the 1980s through the 2000s, Rivadossi’s designs took on a more organic, architectural approach. For instance, his Custodia Lombarda cabinet comprises two doors with hand-carved latticework that gradually reduces size. His decorative boxes with grooved textures, geometric patterns and curved forms also double as desktop sculptures.
In 2013, Officina Rivadossi evolved to become Habito di Giuseppe Rivadossi, which Rivadossi runs with his two sons Emanuele and Clemente. Since then, the furniture firm has shown at numerous exhibitions, including Salone del Mobile di Milano, the London Design Festival, PAD Paris and BRAFA Art Fair, in Brussels. Also, in 2018, Rivadossi received the prestigious Maestro d’Arte e Mestiere award at the Triennale di Milano.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage and contemporary Giuseppe Rivadossi case pieces, tables and decorative objects.
Comacina Armchair by Giuseppe Rivadossi
By Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Milan, IT
A testament to contemporary sculptural design, this armchair boasts a monolithic silhouette made of vertical wooden fibers, chiseled and finished by hand with a planer. Displaying a ...
Wood
Set of Two Armchairs by Giuseppe Rivadossi in Leather and Slavonian Oak
By Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Hellouw, NL
These exquisite armchairs, crafted by the renowned Italian designer Giuseppe Rivadossi in the late 1960s, exemplify mid-century elegance with a distinct artisanal touch. Made from hi...
Leather, Oak
Set of Two Leather Armchairs by IKEA, Sweden, 1990's
By IKEA
Located in Praha, CZ
Set of two leather armchairs, manufactured by IKEA in Sweden, in the 1990's. Made of leather and wood. Repolished, cleaned, used a reviving wood oil. Fully functional.
Leather, Wood
Set of 2 Oak Armchair by Collector
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Oak armchair by Collector Dimensions: W 75 x D 70 x H 77 cm Materials: Fabric, oak wood Other materials available The Collector brand aims to be part of the daily lif...
Fabric, Oak
$6,950
H 31.7 in W 32.88 in D 27.17 in
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi 'Rocca' Lounge Chair in Walnut
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, 'Rocca' lounge chair, walnut, Italy, 1970s Giuseppe Rivadossi’s Rocca chair is a prime example of Italian craftsmanship from the second ha...
Walnut
Giuseppe Rossi - pair of armchair
By Giuseppe Rossi di Albizzate
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of armchairs by Giuseppe Rossi, founder with Maria Saporiti in 1935 of the Rossi di Albizzate publishing house. Dimensions : 75 x 100 x 100 cm.
Fabric
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Rare Bench in Oak
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, bench, oak, Italy, design 1980s This lovely bench is a design by Giuseppe Rivadossi. The material used to make this piece is oak, which sh...
Oak
$2,950 / set
H 30.52 in W 24.41 in D 22.84 in
Danish Set of Four Armchairs in Oak and Black Leatherette
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of four dining chairs, leatherette, oak, Denmark, 1960s This classic set is a wonderful example of Scandinavian design from the Midcentury period. The seat and backrest feature...
Faux Leather, Oak
Set of Three Oak Armchairs with Rush and Leather Seats
Located in London, London
Three armchairs Oak Rush seat with leather back Seat height 36cm Dutch 1940s
Leather, Rush, Oak
$1,563 / item
H 32.68 in W 23.63 in D 19.69 in
Set of Ten Art Deco Armchairs in Oak and Leather, circa 1940
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of ten Art Deco armchairs in oak and leather, circa 1940.
Leather, Beech
$5,412 / set
H 18.9 in W 20.87 in D 14.18 in
Giuseppe Rivadossi Set of Two Stools in Oak Wood by Officina Rivadossi 1970s
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Set of two stools in oak wood designed by Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, 1970ca. These rare stools have a peculiar structure with visible interlocks that join each compo...
Oak
$6,927 / item
H 44.49 in W 31.11 in D 27.96 in
Modern by Giuseppe Carpanelli Ara Armchair with Leather
By Carpanelli
Located in Desio, IT
Relax armchair made of a wooden structure coated with polyurethane in different densities. The armchair is enhanced by "english" seams. The base is in solid Maple dyed in Dark Sycomo...
Leather, Fabric, Velvet, Faux Leather
Modern by Giuseppe Carpanelli Shape Armchair
By Carpanelli
Located in Desio, IT
Armchair from the Shape line, internal wooden structure, polyurethane padding in different densities, solid wood feet in dark Tay shade. Also available in Canaletta walnut tone. Upho...
Fabric
$12,700 / set
H 32.09 in W 19.69 in D 18.71 in
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Set of Six Dining Chairs in Oak
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, set of six dining chairs, oak, Italy, 1970s An exceptional set of chairs by the Italian sculptor and designer Giuseppe Rivadossi. The chai...
Oak